The Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center celebrates spring with its annual Baby Animal Shower. They will have BBQ tri tip sandwiches, hot dogs, ice cream sundaes, face painting, T-shirts for sale, raffle items, kid’s crafts, rock painting and wild barn owl pellets to dissect.

The shower is planned for Saturday April 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wildlife Center inside Fox Grove Fishing Access, 1220 Geer Road, Hughson.

All are encouraged to come meet the volunteers and employees, the people who care for all of the 2,000+ injured and orphaned animal they admit each year. Also, meet the animal ambassadors, animals that couldn’t be released, and now live at the Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center. Many of these animals travel to schools to help students learn about California native wildlife.

This year the Stanislaus County Library Storytellers will present story time and a book give-away.

Hopper the raven, Poe the crow, Carson the red-tailed hawk, and Titus the great-horned owl are a few of the animals that will be out and about to meet those attending the baby shower. Check the website for the display times.

This will be the last opportunity to see Hopper, the raven, in his cage. He is over 25 years old and is blind from cataracts. After Baby Animal Shower, he is moving into a ‘retirement cage’ where he can live out his life. He may still visit schools or other events.

Spring is just starting, and Center officials said they are just starting to admit baby songbirds, squirrels, coyotes, opossums, hawks and owls. Every day, more and more animals come in.

There is no admission charge but those attending are asked to bring a gift, if possible, to assist with the running of the wildlife center. Among the items being sought are: paper towels, postage stamps, receiving blankets, Playtex dish washing gloves (small and medium), and HE liquid laundry soap.

Also gratefully accepted are donations of money and new volunteers interested in serving at the wildlife center are always needed and welcomed.

The Stanislaus Wildlife Care Center started in 1984, which makes this the 35th year of operation. They are completely supported by donations.

For more information, visit the website: www.stanislauswildlife.org or call 209-883-9414.